Flash holder construction



Oct. 12, 1965 G. IRWIN 3,211,902

FLASH HOLDER CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 21, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG 1 INVENTOR. GEORGE IRWIN 50 L i BY 0m 77?: WMX JM @52 LEN ATTYS Oct. 12, 1965 G. IRWIN 3,211,902

FLASH HOLDER CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 21, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG 4 INVENTOR. GEORGE IRWIN BY am 7776 ATTYS Oct, 12, 1965 G. IRWIN 3,211,902

FLASH HOLDER CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 21, 1963 a Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR GEORGE I f? WIN United States Patent 3,211,902 FLASH HOLDER CONSTRUCTION George Irwin, Highland Park, Ill., assignor to Imperial Camera Corp., Chicago, 11]., a corporation of Delaware Filed Jan. 21, 1963, Ser. No. 252,969 12 Claims. '(Cl. 240-13) The present invention relates to an improved flash holder construction.

In particular, the invention is directed to the provision of a construction, the major components of which are adapted to be employed in combination with a plurality of flash bulb sizes.

It is well-known that a rather large variety of flash bulbs are available for use in the taking of still pictures. In order to accommodate each of the various flash bulbs, it is necessary for manufacturers to construct holders for each individual bulb. This situation has resulted in the necessity for a rather large capital outlay in the production of flash bulb holders. Thus, individual dies and other manufacturing equipment must ordinarily be provided for each of the various components making up the holders. The assembly operations for the holders have involved a variety of activities, and, accordingly, large scale assembly operations exhibit certain inefficiencies. Finally, it is necessary to maintain extensive inventories so as to permit the manufacture of complete flash holder constructions on a large scale basis and in order to provide replacement parts for existing constructions.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved flash bulb holder construction which is characterized by features which overcome the above noted difliculties.

It is a more particular object of this invention to provide a flash holder construction which is characterized by a remarkable versatility in that important components of the construction including the casing, reflector and mounting means within the construction, can be interchanged for use in combination with a variety of bulb sizes and types.

These and other objects of this invention will appear hereinafter and for purposes of illustration but not of limitation, specific embodiments of this invention are shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a vertical elevational view in section of a flash holder construction characterized by the features of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a front elevation, partly cut away, of the construction shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged detail perspective view of bulb and battery retaining components employed in the construction of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is an exploded view of the bulb socket construct-ion of FIGURE 1 and of the reflector attaching mechanisms employed;

FIGURE 5 is a front elevation of an alternative flash holder construction as it appears with the reflector removed;

FIGURE 6 is a vertical elevation in section taken about the line 66 of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of the socket means utilized in the construction shown in FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 8 is a detail view of a socket construction and retaining elements utilized in a further alternative form of the invention; and,

FIGURE 9 is a cross-sectional view taken about the line 9-9 of FIGURE 8.

bulb socket is situated within the casing and this socket communicates with a central opening in the reflector whereby a flash bulb can be disposed in a firing position. Also located within the casing are battery retaining means and associated bulb retaining jaws. These retaining elements are adapted to be locked with respect to the associated socket and this locking is accomplished in a unique manner. Thus, the retaining elements are secured together by means of snap connections associated therewith. Thereafter, the combination of the retaining elements is locked to the socket by means of locking tabs or twisted members, which members may in turn also act to provide electrical connections for firing of a bulb. As a further cooperating feature, the connections between the retaining elements also provide electrical connections whereby firing of the bulb can be accomplished. All of these features represent material improvements over prior art construction in that soldering is not necessary in assembling these elements and since the snap connection, locking tab and other connect ing means permit extremely rapid assembly operations.

The construction of this invention is also of a unique character since the casing can be employed for accommodating a plurality of bulbs of different sizes and types and a plurality of sockets .and firing circuits for the various bulbs. In addition, the reflector construction is adapted to be used irrespective of the type of bulb employed and the connecting means on the reflector construction is such that the reflector can be connected to any of the various socket constructions employed. The casing is adapted to accommodate batteries in a variety of positions and bulb retaining structures can be efficiently interchanged within the casing. The particular manner in which the various sockets are connected to the casing has also been found to be advantageous since the connecting means are employed as a guideway for bulb ejecting means of the same type of connecting means as utilized with each of the various ejecting means employed.

The accompanying drawings provide an illustration of various structures which result from the concepts of this invention. Each of the structures employs a casing 10 having an open front whereby a reflector 12 can be associated therewith. A bayonettype fastening means 14 is carried by the reflectors 12 and this fastening means includes depending portions '16 which terminate in inwardly extending edges 18. Each of the sockets utilized in accordance with this invention includes a pair of flanges 20 and the edges 18 are adapted to be first inserted between these flanges and then twisted whereby they pass beneath the flanges. The reflector 12 can thus be locked onto a socket and then removed at any time, for example when it is necessary to replace the battery.

FIGURES 1 through 4 illustrate a construction which employs a casing 10 and a reflector 12 of the type described. This particular construction is adapted to be employed for use with AG-l bulbs 22 and the socket construction 24 is designed to accommodate these bulbs. The socket construction comprises a generally cup-shaped member having an open interior 26. Bulb retaining jaws 28 are fitted within this interior and the base 29 of the bulb 22 is adapted to be pressed between these jaws.

The jaws 28 include lower portions 30 which have projections 32 formed therein. A pair of battery retaining strips 34 are adapted to be associated with these jaws. These strips include resilient battery engaging arms 36 and the strips are adapted to be positioned. whereby the portions 38 thereof are located in parallel relationship Within the socket 24. The strips define openings 40 and locking tabs 42 are formed in the ends of the portions 38.

In order to assemble the retaining elements,the elements 28 are inserted into the interior 26 of the socket 24. The portions 38 are then moved through openings 44 defined by the socket and during this movement, the

projection 32 of the elements 28 snaps into the openings '40 whereby the battery retaining and bulb retaining elements will be locked together The tabs 42 move outwardly of the socket and due to the projecting character of these tabs, the strips 34 will be locked in position. It will be appreciated that the opening 44 is dimensioned whereby the presence of the retaining members 28 will urge the portions 38 against the body of the socket to increase the locking capacity of the tabs 42.

Posts 46 extend outwardly from the back wall of the casing and the arms 36 press against these posts whereby batteries '48 will be firmly held in position within the casing. A circuit through the batteries is adapted to be completed by means of contacts 50 and terminals 52.

An ejecting means 54 includes a pushing end 56 and a stem 58 which extends through an eyelet 60 fixed in the back wall of the casing. The button 62 secured to the stem will be moved outwardly of the casing when the bulb 22 forces back the pushing end 56 as the bulb is inserted into the socket. When the button 62 has been displaced away from the back wall of the casing by this action, ejection can easily be accomplished by pushing forward on the button to move it back into the position shown.

It will be noted that the eyelet 60 also functions to secure the socket 24 within the casing. In the assembly of the illustrated construction, it is simply necessary to snap the elements 28 and 34 into position in a socket 24 and this socket will then be fastened to casing 10. The ejecting means 54 is passed through the eyelet and the button 62 secured to the stem thereof whereby the ejecting means will remain in its proper position in the assembly. The unit is then ready for use upon insertion of batteries 48 and upon placement of the reflector 12. Firing of the bulb 22 is effected in a conventional manner when a circuit is completed across the terminals 52.

FIGURES 8 and 9 illustrate a construction suitable for use in combination with a conventional M-2 bulb. The base 64 of this bulb is shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 9. The bulb is inserted in a socket 66 which is provided with battery retaining strips 34, these strips being of the same design as the strips referred to above.

The bulb retaining means employed with this construction include a jaw member 72 and a contact member 74. The member 72 includes a projecting portion 76 which is adapted to be received within the opening defined in a strip 34. The contact 74 includes a return portion 75 and a contact end portion 77. These portions define a channel for receiving a strip 34 when the unit is assembled.

An ejecting means 78 which defines a bifurcated head including arms 80 is provided for this construction. A spring 81 abuts against the base of the socket 66 and against a stud 83 formed in the stem 82 of the ejecting means. As in the case of the previously described construction, this ejecting means is adapted to extend through an eyelet which also serves to secure the socket 66 to a casing 10. An actuating button is provided for the ejecting means and the arms 80 thereof are engaged by a bulb when the bulb is inserted whereby the actuating button will be moved away from the back wall of the casing in the manner described with respect to the button 62. When the actuating button is pressed forward, the arms 80 will force the bulb out for ejection.

In the assembly of the unit designed for M2 bulbs, the ejector 78 is inserted Within the socket after the socket has been fastened to the casing. The contact 74 is then moved into position and the associated strip 34 is snapped into place whereby the strip and the contact 74 are secured to the socket and whereby the electrical connection therebetween is automatically accomplished. The jaw 72 is similarly inserted prior to insertion of the other strip 34 whereby the locking and electrical contact functions of these members can be accomplished.

The construction illustrated in FIGURES 5 through 7 includes the use of a condenser type circuitry more commonly employed in European countries and suitable for bulbs of the PF-l type. The construction includes a socket 84 having bulb retaining means 86 received in slots 88 defined in the socket. The retaining means include a lower section 90 with a connecting tab 92 bent outwardly thereof. The battery retaining member 94 for this construction includes an open portion 96 at one end while the opposite end is adapted for connection to one of the terminals 52.

A strip 98 is secured to the other terminal 52 and this strip extends upwardly within the casing. A lead 100 which is wrapped around one post 46 is connected at one end to this strip and at the other end to the condenser 102. The lead 104 which is wrapped around the other post 46 is fastened to a tab 92 of one of the bulb retaining means 86. Also connected to the strip 98 is a resistor 106 which in turn is connected to clip contact means 108. The contact means is provided with tab portions 110 and 112 which snap into slots 114 and 116 defined in the wall of the casing. A battery 118 is positioned between this clip contact and the member 94.

An ejecting means 120 comprising a stem 123 and a head 122 is also provided for this construction. A bulb inserted into the socket 84 will engage the head 122 whereby the button 124 will be displaced away from the back side of the casing 10. By pressing on this button, the head 122 can be forced forwardly against the base of the bulb for ejection.

The construction illustrated in FIGURES 5 through 7 can obviously be assembled in an extremely simple fashion. The jaws 86 can easily be inserted in the socket 84 and the tabs 92 bent outwardly whereby they can function as connecting means in the firing circuit. It will also be noted that the one tab 92 in addition to providing an electrical connection wtih the strip 94 serves to lock this strip in position against the socket since this tab 92 can be twisted as illustrated. The tab portions and 112 of the clip contact 102 are initially formed whereby they will exert a spring action when positioned in the slots 114 and 116. Thus, these tab portions must be pressed together a small amount to provide for their insertion, and accordingly, the contact 108 will be held firmly in position within the casing.

The circuitry illustrated normally prov-ides for charging of the condenser by means of the battery 118. The presence of the resistor 106 in this charging circuit eliminates the possibility of firing of a bulb without closing of a circuit across the terminals 52. It will be noted, however, that when this last circuit is closed, the resistor 106 is bypassed and sufficient current is then delivered to the bulb retaining means 86 whereby firing of a bulb held thereby can be accomplished.

It will be noted that the same casing has been provided for each of the illustrated constructions. In addition, this unique casing is adapted to be utilized in combination with the same reflector irrespective of the flash bulb type to be employed. The provision of the various elements within the case such as the posts 46, slots 114 and 116 and the adaptability for securing different sockets in the same manner provides for highly economical manufacturing techniques. Thus, the same dies can be employed for manufacturing all casings and reflectors, the same reflector connecting means can be kept for all designs, and, therefore, both manufacturing and inventory problems are substantially reduced.

The constructions of this invention are also of a highly desirable nature since the various bulb and battery retaining elements perform a plurality of functions and provide for elimination of tedious assembly techniques. These retaining means are designed whereby they will secure each other together, they will secure themselves to the socket assembly, and they will provide the necessary electrical contact either between themselves or for leads.

employed in a particular circuit. The snap fit within the sockets and the ability of the members to be twisted or bent for securing purposes greatly simplifies the assembly operations, and it will be noted that soldering steps are eliminated by reason of the design of the elements employed.

It will be understod that various changes and modifications can be made in the constructions described which provide the characteristics of this invention without departing from the spirit thereof particularly as defined in the following claims.

That which is claimed is:

1. A flash holder construction comprising an outer casing defining an open side, a reflector removably received in said open side, a central opening defined in said reflector, a flash bulb socket secured in said casing and positioned in communication with said central opening, battery retaining means fitted within said casing, bulb retaining jaws locked onto said retaining means and locked within said socket, said battery retaining means and bulb retaining jaws including projections whereby they are adapted to be snapped together for locking engagement with each other and whereby they are adapted to snap into place for locking engagement with said socket, and bulb ejecting means having a bulb engaging portion extending into said socket and having an actuating portion extending outwardly of said casing.

2. A construction in accordance with claim 1 wherein said battery retaining means comprise a pair of resilient metallic strips extending on either side of said socket, the exposed ends of said strips being adapted to engage a pair of batteries disposed within said casing, openings defined in said socket through which the other ends of said strips are adapted to pass, locking tabs formed in said other ends for engaging the exterior of said socket and for thereby holding said strips in position, and wherein at least one of said bulb retaining jaws includes projecting means formed in a face thereof, and openings defined in said strips adapted to receive said projecting means whereby said jaws can be moved into said socket and said strips thereafter positioned so that said projecting means will snap into the openings defined in said strips to thereby lock said jaws and strips together.

3. A construction in accordance with claim 2 wherein said jaws comprise a pair of opposed strip means each extending across the width of said socket, said strip means being urged toward each other to thereby grasp a bulb therebetween, said ejecting means being adapted to spread said strip means to release a bulb held tthereby.

4. A construction in accordance with claim 2 wherein said jaws comprise a first strip means normally urged into said socket and adapted to engage the periphery of the base of a bulb when it is inserted into said socket, and a second strip means adapted to engage the end of a bulb when it is inserted into said socket, said ejecting means having a bifurcated end adapted to engage the lower edges of a bulb base for forcing a bulb out of said socket.

5. In a flash holder construction, the improvement comprising a casing suitable for use in combination with a plurality of bulbs of different sizes and in combination with a plurality of sockets and firing circuits suited for said bulbs, each of said sockets comprising a generally cup-shaped member, said casing including electrical terminal connecting means, mounting means for accommodating one of said sockets, an openings in the back of said casing adjacent said mounting means, a corresponding opening in the base of each of said sockets, securing means holding said openings in alignment and securing the base of said one socket to said housing, and ejecting means comprising a head portion extending within said one socket, a stem portion connected to said head portion and extending through said aligned openings, and an actuating portion connected to said stern portion and located outwardly of said housing, said securing means forming a receiving means for the stem of said ejecting means and said ejecting means being freely movable in said securing means, an opening defined in the front wall of said casing, a reflector adapted to be received within said opening, means associated with said. socket for removably securing said reflector in said socket, and an opening in said reflector for inserting a bulb into said socket whereby the bulb is adapted to engage the head portion of said ejecting means for displacing the ejecting means whereby said actuating portion is displaced away from said casing.

6. A construction in accordance with claim 5 wherein said battery retaining means comprise a metalic strip fastenened at one end to a first terminal, a slot defined in the opposite end of said strip and a projection formed in one of said bulb retaining jaws extending through said slot and being twisted to provide the connection with said strip, and wherein said twisted projection serves to hold said one bulb retaining jaw in position within said socket and serves to secure the opposite end of said strip.

7. A construction in accordance with claim 2 including a second bulb retaining jaw, a projection formed in said second jaw, said projection extending outwardly of said socket and being twisted to provide for holding of said second jaw in position within said socket, the projection on said second jaw also acting as a connecting means for including said second jaw in the firing circuit for a flash bulb, and a conductive clip means for cooperating with said battery retaining means for holding a battery within said casing, said clip means including tab portions at either end, and slots defined in said casing for receiving said tab portions and for thereby removably retaining said clip means.

8. A construction in accordance with claim 5 wherein each socket suited for use in the construction includes bulb retaining means and battery retaining means snapped in place within said socket, and wherein said battery retaining means cooperate to lock said bulb retaining means in position.

9. A construction in accordance with claim 5 including slot means defined in said casing for snapping one battery contact in place, means on said one contact for attachment to a resistor, and additional means for securing a condenser within the casing.

10. A flash holder construction comprising an outer casing defining an open side, a reflector removably received in said open side, a central opening defined in said reflector, a flash bulb socket secured in said casing and positioned in communication with said central opening, bayonet connecting means associated with said reflector for engaging the outer end of said socket whereby said reflector can be secured thereto, battery retaining means comprising a metallic strip fitted within said casing and fastened at one end to a first terminal, a slot defined in the opposite end of said strip, bulb retaining jaws locked within said socket, one of said bulb retaining jaws extending through said slot and being twisted to provide a connection with said strip, said twisted portion also serving to lock said bulb retaining jaw in position within said socket and serving to secure said opposite end of said strip, and a second bulb retaining jaw, a projection formed in said second jaw, said projection extending outwardly of said socket and being twisted to provide for holding of said second jaw in position within said socket, the projection on said second jaw also acting as a connecting means for including said second jaw in the firing circuit for a flash bulb, a conductive clip means for cooperating with said battery retaining means for holding said battery within a casing, said clip means including tab portions at either end, and slots defined in said casing for receiving said tab portions and for thereby removably retaining said clip means, and bulb ejecting means having a bulb engaging portion extending into said socket and an actuating portion extending outwardly of said casing, said ejecting means being slideably received in an eyelet connected to said casing and serving as a means for fastening said socket to said casing.

11. A flash holder construction comprising an outer casing defining an open side, a reflector removably received in said open side, a central opening defined in said reflector, a flash bulb socket secured in said casing and positioned in communication with said central opening, bayonet fastening means associated with said reflector and means formed in the outer end of said socket for securing said bayonet fastening means and the associated reflector to said socket, battery retaining means comprising a pair of resilient metallic strips extending on either side of said socket, the exposed ends of said strips being adapted to engage a pair of batteries disposed within said casing, openings defined in said socket through which the other ends of said strips are adapted to pass, locking tabs formed in said other ends for engaging the exterior of said socket and for thereby holding said strips in position, bulb retaining jaws locked on to said strips and locked within said socket, said jaws comprising a pair of opposed strip means extending across the width of said socket, said strip means being urged toward each other to grasp a bulb therebetween, and bulb ejecting means having a bulb engaging portion extending into said socket and having an actuating portion extending outwardly of said casing, said ejecting means being adapted to spread said strip means to release a bulb held thereby, said ejecting means being slideably received in an eyelet formed in the rear side of said casing and serving as the means for securing said socket to said casing.

12. A flash holder construction comprising an outer casing defining an open side, a reflector removably received in said open side, a central opening defined in said reflector, a flash bulb socket secured in said case and positioned in communication with said central opening, bayonet fastening means associated with the opening in said reflector, means formed in the outer end of said socket for connecting said bayonet fastening means and the associated reflector to said socket, battery retaining means comprising a pair of resilient metallic strips extending on either side of said socket, the exposed ends of said strips being adapted to engage a pair of batteries disposed Within said casing, openings defined in said socket through which the other ends of said strips are adapted to pass, locking tabs formed in said other ends for engaging the exterior of said socket and for thereby holding said strips in position, and bulb retaining jaws locked onto said retaining means and locked within said socket, said jaws including a first strip means having a projecting means formed in one face thereof and an opening defined in one of said battery retaining strips adapted to receive said projecting means whereby said first strip can be moved into said socket in a manner such that said projecting means will snap into the opening defined in the battery retaining strip to thereby lock said first strip to said battery retaining strip, the other side of said jaws comprising a second strip means adapted to engage the bottom end of a bulb when the bulb is inserted into said socket, said second strip means being bent around the other of said battery retaining strips, and bulb ejecting means having a bulb engaging portion extending into said socket and having an actuating portion extending outwardly of said casing, said ejecting means having a bifurcated end adapted to engage the lower edges of a bulb base for forcing the bulb out of said socket.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,443,163 6/48 Harmon.

2,596,887 5/52 Brundage 240-13 X 2,812,420 11/57 Bing et a1. 240-13 2,848,701 8/58 McKee et al. 339 X 2,864,938 12/58 Shaw et a1. 24037 2,910,554 10/59 Lessler 33945 X FOREIGN PATENTS 1,136,789 1/57 France.

NORTON ANSHER, Primary Examiner. 

1. A FLASH HOLDER CONSTRUCTION COMPRISING AN OUTER CASING DEFINING AN OPEN SIDE, A REFLECTOR REMOVABLY RECEIVED IN SAID OPEN SIDE, A CENTRAL OPENING DEFINED BY SAID REFLECTOR, A FLASH BULB SOCKET SECURED TO SAID CASING AND POSITIONED IN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID CENTRAL OPENING, BATTERY RETAINING MEANS FITTED WITHIN SAID CASING, BULB RETRAINING JAWS LOCKED ONTO SAID RETAINING MEANS AND LOCKED WITHIN SAID SOCKET, SAID BATTERY RETAINING MEANS AND BULB RETAINING JAWS INCLUDING PROJECTIONS WHEREBY THEY ARE ADAPTED TO BE SNAPPED TOGETHER FOR LOCKING ENGAGEMENT WITH EACH OTHER AND WHEREBY THEY ARE ADAPTED TO SNAP INTO PLACE FOR LOCKING ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID SOCKET, AND BULB EJECTING MEANS HAVING A BULB ENGAGING PORTION EXTENDING INTO SAID SOCKET AND HAVING AN ACTUATING PORTION EXTENDING OUTWARDLY OF SAID CASING. 